Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the procurement of meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines by Border Health Services-Pakistan under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for pilgrims and overseas job seekers.
The vaccine procurement probe follows allegations that the previous vaccination arrangement cost around Rs1,250 per dose per person, while the amount under the new arrangement is approximately Rs4,500 per pilgrim. That is a jump of roughly 260 per cent, or nearly four times the earlier cost.
Five-member panel to run vaccine procurement probe in 48 hours
According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, a five-member committee headed by the secretary of the Cabinet Division will examine the procurement process and determine whether it complied with applicable rules and procedures.
The committee comprises the director general of the Intelligence Bureau, the chief executive officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), a representative of the Attorney General for Pakistan, and the managing director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), who will also serve as member and secretary.
The panel will examine the complete procurement process. That includes the rationale, legal basis and approvals for adopting the PPP arrangement, and whether the procurement was conducted under PPRA rules.
It will also scrutinise the bidding documents, particularly the quantities of vaccines, payment terms, standard bidding documents and evaluation criteria. The inquiry will check compliance with procurement timelines, evaluation procedures, grievance-redressal mechanisms and mandatory publication requirements.
The committee must also assess the financial implications of the procurement, the reasonableness of vaccine prices, revenue-sharing arrangements and safeguards for the public interest. It will identify responsibility for any irregularities found and recommend corrective measures and a way forward.
The Cabinet Division will provide secretariat support, and the panel may co-opt additional members if required. The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the committee to submit its report, with findings and recommendations, to the prime minister within 48 hours.
Seven pharma firms challenge tender in court
The inquiry comes after questions were raised over the procurement process for the two vaccines, with concerns about its legal basis, the bidding process, financial implications and compliance with public procurement requirements.
Seven pharmaceutical companies have already approached the Islamabad High Court, challenging the process through which Border Health Services Pakistan awarded a contract for meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccination services to a private company. The petitioners include Gesundheit Concerns, Amson Vaccines and Pharma, Immuno Well, Hoffmann Human Health Pakistan, Hospital Services and Sales, 3A Diagnostics, and Immunonet Pharma.
They allege serious violations of public procurement rules and a lack of transparency. The IHC issued notices to the Ministry of National Health Services, the PPRA, the Public-Private Partnership Authority, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and a private company, making them respondents in the case.
The petitioners contend that the tender was to be conducted under the Public Procurement Rules, 2004, with bids submitted and opened on July 2, 2026. They allege the opportunity was advertised in only one newspaper instead of being published on the PPRA website and in at least two widely circulated national dailies, one in English and one in Urdu. They argue the limited advertisement curtailed competition and violated mandatory requirements.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and BHS maintained that all rules had been followed and said they would submit a reply to the court.
Meningitis vaccination has long been part of the health requirements for Hajj pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia, which is why the per-dose cost matters to hundreds of thousands of Pakistani travellers. Feature Pakistan has previously covered Hajj vaccination arrangements, Hajj 2027 registration, and the four-year Hajj policy. The prime minister’s office has also been in the news over arguments in the PM’s defamation suit.
Source: Dawn
What triggered the vaccine procurement probe?
Allegations that the per-dose cost jumped from about Rs1,250 under the previous arrangement to roughly Rs4,500 under the new PPP deal, alongside concerns about the bidding process and transparency.
Who is conducting the inquiry?
A five-member committee headed by the Cabinet Division secretary, including the DG Intelligence Bureau, the Drap CEO, a representative of the Attorney General, and the PPRA managing director as member and secretary.
What is the deadline for the report?
The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the committee to submit its findings and recommendations to the prime minister within 48 hours.
What do the pharmaceutical companies allege?
Seven firms told the Islamabad High Court that the tender was advertised in only one newspaper instead of the PPRA website and two national dailies, curtailing competition and violating procurement rules.
